Role of a Scrum Master in a Company

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What is the role of a Scrum Master?

As a central element of the agile method, the Scrum Master guides teams for better responsiveness to changes. Master of ceremonies during daily meetings, he identifies obstacles to improve productivity and revitalizes the process. In an IT sector where flexibility is necessary, wage portage offers the security of employment with the benefits of autonomy. With Weepo, discover the role of the Scrum Master, his responsibilities, and career opportunities.

What is a Scrum Master?

The main actor in an agile organization of the Scrum type, the Scrum Master was created at the end of the 90s. As a coach for agile team members, he plays a facilitative role in the progressive adoption of processes. He is therefore the guarantor of the proper application of practices and ensures the training of new employees in agile methodologies. He also frames communication between the development team and the Product Owner by helping to resolve conflicts or misunderstandings. The goal? To keep the team focused on the project's objectives without external distractions. Unlike a traditional project manager, responsible for the overall management of a project, the Scrum Master has no decision-making role or hierarchical authority.

Key Roles in Agile Methodology

RoleMain MissionsRelations with the TeamMain Objective
Scrum MasterAssist the agile organization, facilitate Scrum meetings, resolve blocking issues.Support and guide the team, ensure proper application of best practices.Organize and maximize the team's efficiency.
Product OwnerEnsure product definition, prioritize the backlog*, communicate with various stakeholders.Provide clear direction to the development team.Maximize the product's value for users and the company based on business needs (objectives, expectations, constraints).
DeveloperDesign, develop, test, and deliver the features mentioned in the product backlog*.Collaborate with the Scrum Master and the Product Owner.Produce quality and functional software that meets requirements.

*Backlog: a list of technical points that still need to be worked on.

What are the responsibilities of a Scrum Master?

The missions of the Scrum Master extend across several aspects.

Facilitating Agile Meetings

This is one of the main responsibilities of the Scrum Master. During the development of a project, there are many meetings. Each new phase of work is called a "sprint" and involves several meetings:

sprint planning: it serves to plan the work to be accomplished by each

daily scrum: a quick daily meeting where team members review their progress, any blockages, and upcoming tasks

sprint review: this is when the team presents its work to stakeholders

sprint retrospective: the final product is complete. It is time to analyze successes and improvements to be made within the team for future projects

Managing Potential Obstacles

Because not everything goes as planned, the Scrum Master must be able to identify problems that block the development team:

detection and removal of obstacles: technical problems, organizational issues, conflicts, or lack of clarity in objectives can delay project progress

implementation of tools and "routines": to help the agile method run smoothly. Indeed, certain project management software can help streamline work. Furthermore, implementing certain practices improves productivity

encouraging broad communication and transparency: a healthy work environment fosters better team involvement

Coaching Teams

The Scrum Master is responsible for his team. He is the one who must help them improve their skills. He will thus:

train them in the values of the agile method: pedagogically reminding them of the principles of Scrum. If necessary, he can organize internal training

facilitate feedback meetings: constructive feedback to improve the team's work together

promote autonomy: his role is to ensure that the team can function without him in the long term. He therefore encourages the initiatives of team members

What skills are necessary to become a Scrum Master?

To fully meet the needs of a company in the overall supervision of a project's development, the Scrum Master must possess skills in several areas.

Technical Skills

For the Scrum Master, the agile manifesto and related tools are obviously no secret:

mastery of the Scrum method and agile frameworks

management of meetings and backlogs

knowledge of management tools

analysis of the agile metrics of the team

monitoring of method evolutions

Soft Skills

Technical knowledge alone is not enough to make a good Scrum Master. As a team leader, he is also a manager who must have:

a natural leadership spirit

active listening and an empathetic approach

the ability to manage conflicts, tensions, and misunderstandings

the capacity to lead his team to success

a strong sense of communication

Knowing how to manage change: a key skill for the Scrum Master

Beyond supporting teams through changes, the role of the Scrum Master is also to quickly devise concrete strategies adapted to the objective. For this, he must demonstrate:

flexibility and adaptability: accepting adjustments along the way is the daily life of the Scrum Master

analytical skills and critical thinking: he must know how to optimize the process without delay

logic in problem-solving: identifying blockages and quickly finding solutions is essential

flexibility in the face of changes: to help the team find a new organization

What training is required to become a Scrum Master?

Different courses can lead to this profession strongly linked to digital.

Traditional Training

Initial Training

There is no specific diploma to become a Scrum Master, but some training programs are particularly suitable. Thus, a diploma at the Bac+3 to Bac+5 level in computer science, software engineering, project management, or engineering is recommended. Specialized master's degrees in agile project management or information systems are also an excellent entry point into this profession.

Continuing Education and Specializations

Today, online platforms offer special training to become a Scrum Master. However, not all of them are recognized by professionals. Specialized organizations in agility and companies also offer targeted practical workshops on agile methodology.

Recognized Certifications

A recognized certification enhances a candidate's profile with an employer. It allows for the recognition of specific skills and updates knowledge on best agile practices. To become a credible independent or salaried Scrum Master in his role, it is essential to obtain a recognized certification that validates these skills.

Depending on the organizing body, certifications have varying degrees of recognition in the profession. Their access is sometimes subject to prerequisites, and their cost can vary. However, depending on your career plan, they can have a real propelling effect for rapid advancement and access to more strategic roles.

What career opportunities are there for a Scrum Master?

A Scrum Master can perform his functions in a company or independently.

In a Company

In a company, the Scrum Master is often attached to the Information Systems Department (in charge of software, cybersecurity, technological innovations...) or to a project management team. Being salaried offers the Scrum Master a stable framework, with social benefits and a fixed monthly salary. Over time, he could even evolve into roles such as agile coach, innovation manager, or project director.

However, hierarchical supervision can limit autonomy and create some frustration in applying the agile methodology.

Freelance

Independence necessarily offers more freedom to the Scrum Master in choosing his clients and missions. The position can lend itself well to a mission as a freelance IT consultant. With a good ability to sell himself and negotiate his contracts, he can benefit from more advantageous pricing. It is also up to you to choose whether you want to go to the company's premises or if you want to work remotely like some digital nomads. However, the independent status also has its drawbacks. The freelance Scrum Master will have to dedicate part of his time to managing the administrative aspects of his invoices and accounting.

The Company, a Strategic Transition to Independence

Starting with a position in a company can represent an effective springboard before becoming freelance. This period allows the Scrum Master to gain experience and build a solid professional network. Obtaining recognized certifications will help validate his expertise before turning to independence.

When he launches, he can then choose the structure that seems most suitable: sole proprietorship (micro-enterprise, for example), or wage portage.

What is the remuneration for a Scrum Master?

Depending on whether he works in a company or as a freelancer, the remuneration of the Scrum Master can vary greatly.

Remuneration in a Company

At the beginning of his career, a junior salaried Scrum Master can earn between 38,000 and 45,000 euros gross per year. An experienced Scrum Master can earn between 45,000 and 55,000 euros gross per year, while an expert can claim 65,000 euros annually and more.

Salary increases mainly depend on his experience, responsibilities, and certifications that enhance his profile. However, other factors influence the Scrum Master's remuneration level, such as the type of company, location, and sector of activity. Benefits in the form of bonuses, incentives, or profit-sharing can also impact annual remuneration.

Remuneration in Freelance and Wage Portage

With an independent status, the Scrum Master will need to define his average daily rate (TJM). This is what he must charge each day to cover his net salary, social charges, vacation, and professional expenses. The TJM of the Scrum Master generally depends on his experience (from 400 euros per day for a junior to 1,000 euros per day or more for an expert Scrum Master).

Summary of Remunerations

CriteriaWage Portage and Freelance (TJM)Company (annual gross salary)
Experience  
Junior (<2 years)400 - 500 €38,000 - 45,000 €
Intermediate (3-5 years)500 - 700 €45,000 - 55,000 €
Expert (>5 years)700 - 1,000 €65,000 - 75,000 €
Region  
Paris600 - 1,000 €+10 to 15% vs province
Large Cities500 - 800 €standard
Province400 - 700 €-10 to 15% vs large cities
Sector  
Startup400 - 600 €38,000 - 50,000 €
Digital Services Companies (DSC)500 - 800 €45,000 - 60,000 €
Large Groups600 - 1,000 €55,000 - 75,000 €
Certifications  
None400 - 600 €Low remuneration
According to Certification500 - 1,000 €+5 to 20% salary

*Indicative data based on market trends and common practices in the sector.

Why become a Scrum Master in wage portage?

With a wage portage specialist like Weepo, the Scrum Master can test independence without committing to a binding legal status.

The Advantages of Wage Portage for the Scrum Master

By going through an umbrella company, the Scrum Master delegates the administrative, accounting, and social management of his activity. Thus, it is the umbrella company that will issue invoices to clients and collect payments. It will then convert the Scrum Master's revenue into salary, after deducting social charges and management fees. It is also the umbrella company that will take care of the mandatory social and tax declarations on behalf of the ported.

In exchange, the Scrum Master can enjoy the security of employee status and the associated benefits (contributions for retirement, unemployment insurance, mutual insurance...). Beyond this stability, the Scrum Master retains all his freedom in choosing his missions, his work pace, and his TJM in wage portage.

CriteriaWage PortageTraditional Employment
Social SecurityYesYes
AutonomyHighLow
Administrative ManagementManaged by the umbrella companyManaged by the employer
Net incomeHigher than in a company, with management feesFixed, with possible benefits according to conventions or internal agreements
Client prospectingTo be done by oneselfAssignments given by the employer

Why choose Weepo for wage portage?

By choosing Weepo for wage portage, the Scrum Master benefits from a fully digitized and transparent experience:

personalized support for IT professionals seeking independence: the platform allows ported individuals to manage their activities autonomously, according to their needs, and offers tailored advice to improve time management.

comprehensive services: invoicing, tax declarations, and accounting are handled by Weepo. The professional is therefore freed from all these administrative tasks

the security of an employment contract: with Weepo, the ported employee enjoys complete social protection (unemployment insurance, retirement, and mutual insurance).

100% digital access: activities can be managed entirely online and in real-time on the platform

transparency of operations: all procedures are transparent and without unpleasant surprises. Weepo applies management fees of 3% or 5% of the net revenue collected, with no additional costs

access to a network of partners: engaging with Weepo means having access to a network of partners that facilitate daily life (inter-company nurseries, leasing solutions, employee savings plans, works councils...).

Weepo offers a modern and technological wage portage solution for independent professionals

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